Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orban, asserts that Ukraine could be conquered by Hungary within a single day.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has consistently expressed opposition to Ukraine's membership in both the European Union (EU) and NATO. Here's a breakdown of his stance and the reasons behind it:
EU Membership
Orbán has been vocal about his opposition to Ukraine's EU membership, even going as far as to veto its progress during Hungary's presidency of the EU Council in July 2024[2]. His stance has continued beyond Hungary's presidency.
His opposition is rooted in bilateral issues and national interests. Orbán often uses the enlargement process as leverage to address issues related to national minorities or other bilateral concerns[2]. Furthermore, Orbán's government has been critical of EU policies, suggesting that European financial support might be conditioned on Hungary conceding sovereignty on various issues such as migration and economic policies[3].
NATO Membership
While specific details on Orbán's stance on Ukraine's NATO membership are not extensively detailed in the provided sources, it is generally understood that NATO membership for Ukraine is currently not on the table due to broader geopolitical concerns and the need to avoid escalating tensions with Russia[1].
Orbán's opposition to Ukraine's integration into Western alliances aligns with his conservative stance and the need to maintain good relations with Russia, particularly in energy matters such as the Druzhba pipeline[4].
In an interview with the internet portal Patriota, Orbán expressed concerns about the potential impact on Hungary's public safety and economic well-being due to Ukraine's integration into the EU and NATO[5]. He emphasized the need for a stable, functioning Ukraine, stating that a collapsed Ukraine on Hungary's border would pose a threat to Hungary's public safety[5].
Orbán also believes that further integration of Ukraine into the EU and NATO would upset the balance of power between the West and Russia, potentially leading to a response from Moscow[6]. He stated that it's in Hungary's interest to prevent Ukraine from joining the EU and NATO[7].
However, Orbán clarified that Budapest is not interested in undermining Ukraine's security[8]. He suggested that Ukrainians talk disrespectfully due to their dependence on Hungary, but emphasized that Hungary does not support Ukraine's EU membership with the intention of destabilizing Ukraine[9].
In summary, Orbán's stance reflects a cautious approach to Ukraine's integration into Western institutions, prioritizing national interests and maintaining good relations with Russia.
The war-and-conflicts that might arise from Ukraine's membership in the NATO could threaten Hungary's public safety, according to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, as stated in an interview with the internet portal Patriota. Additionally, general news outlets have reported that Orbán's opposition to Ukraine's integration into the EU and NATO is rooted in his desire to maintain good relations with Russia, particularly in energy matters such as the Druzhba pipeline.
